Huayu: You were supposed to be a top star, but you've become capital?

Chapter 103 Mom! I'm not a liar [Added 7000 words from yesterday]

Night had fallen in the capital.

Zhang Ruonan sat on the edge of the bed, her phone pressed to her ear, listening to the familiar voice on the other end, her fingers unconsciously tugging at the sheets.

"Nan Nan, how's it going in the capital?"

Zhang's mother's voice came through the receiver, sounding quite casual, but Zhang Ruonan was all too familiar with that tone.

"It's alright, Mom. The company is great, and they've arranged accommodation for me."

"That's good, that's good." Mrs. Zhang paused for a moment, "Um—Nannan, I received the money you sent back last time. But things are a bit tight at home lately—"

Zhang Ruonan sighed inwardly.

"Mom, didn't I transfer all 18,000 yuan I saved to you before? I only have 2,000 yuan left on me now—I don't know what the company will do with it."

"Only two thousand yuan?" Mrs. Zhang's voice suddenly rose considerably. "Your company doesn't pay you? Didn't you say you signed with the company to become an actor? Actors earn so much, your company must be paying you a salary, right?"

Zhang Ruonan rubbed her temples and patiently explained, "Mom, I just signed the contract and haven't had a chance to film yet. The company is currently finding teachers to train me in acting and dialogue, which isn't cheap."

It's clearly stated in the contract that I will definitely send money home once I start earning money, so don't worry.

"Training, training, training is free?" Mrs. Zhang clearly didn't believe it. "You brat, did you give all your money to the company? Let me tell you, there are so many scam companies these days, don't get scammed."

If things really don't work out, come back quickly. You can continue modeling; at least you can send money home every month.

Zhang Ruonan bit her lip.

"Mom, they're a legitimate big company, not a scam—"

"Alright, alright, I don't care if you've been scammed or not, just send money home as soon as possible." Mrs. Zhang's tone was stern. "If you can't earn money, come back right now, you hear me?"

"I heard you."

"I'll hang up now, you should get some sleep."

The call ended, and a busy tone came from the other end.

Zhang Ruonan held her phone, stared at the ceiling for a moment, and then let out a long sigh.

Two thousand yuan.

She opened her mobile banking app and checked her balance: 2037.5 yuan.

After joining Lucky Film, I don't have to pay rent myself, and the company also has a cafeteria. If I spend money frugally, I should be able to make ends meet for a month or two.

But she knew her mother's tone all too well; the family must be short of money again.

My dad's small business hasn't been doing so well lately, and my brother probably has to pay some fees again.

Zhang Ruonan put her phone on the bed and rubbed her face vigorously.

It's okay, you'll get through this.

She got out of bed, straightened her clothes, and went out the door.

In the living room, Liu Haocun was leaning back on the sofa making a phone call.

"—Oh Mom, don't worry, I'm doing great here!" Liu Haocun's voice was soft and sweet. "The company has arranged everything so well, the place is so warm, much better than I expected!"

Zhang Ruonan tiptoed over and sat down at the other end of the sofa without making a sound.

Liu Haocun waved to her and continued talking on the phone: "President Jia said that as long as we follow the plan, I'll earn enough money soon! Then I can transfer it to them. You should visit their house more often, so they don't think we're not considerate."

After hearing what Liu's mother said on the other end of the phone, Liu Haocun nodded, his little voice earnest: "I know, I know, I understand. Mom, you and Dad take good care of yourselves at home, don't overwork yourselves."

I'm fine here, don't worry about me—oh dear, my friend's out, I'll hang up now!

Liu Haocun quickly hung up the phone and turned to Zhang Ruonan: "Sister Ruonan, are you done with your call?"

Zhang Ruonan nodded and smiled at her.

Liu Haocun stared at her for a moment, his smile slowly fading, and asked softly, "Sister Ruonan, are you unhappy?"

Zhang Ruonan was taken aback for a moment, then quickly shook her head: "No, no, I'm just a little tired."

Liu Haocun didn't speak, he just stared at her, his eyes big and bright, as if they could see right through her.

Zhang Ruonan felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze and was about to say something when Liu Haocun suddenly spoke up: "Sister Ruonan, I've heard it several times already."

"Um?"

"It was when you made that phone call," Liu Haocun said softly, asking cautiously, "Last time, the time before that, and today—your family seems to keep asking you for money?"

Zhang Ruonan was stunned.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Liu Haocun quickly waved his hand: "I didn't mean to eavesdrop! It's just that you always look a little unhappy after making a phone call, so I—"

She paused, moved forward a little closer, and said, "Sister Ruonan, if you're feeling unwell, just say it. I'm very tight-lipped; I definitely won't tell anyone."

Looking at her serious expression, Zhang Ruonan suddenly felt a strange mix of emotions.

This girl is clearly not that old herself, how come she's so good at taking care of people?

"It's nothing." Zhang Ruonan smiled and reached out to rub her head. "There's just a little situation at home, but I'm used to it."

""

Liu Haocun squinted slightly from being rubbed, but still looked at her earnestly: "So, do you have enough money? I have some here, you can take it if you need it."

Zhang Ruonan paused for a moment, then smiled.

This silly girl, she's so thin herself, saving every penny, and she's still thinking about helping others.

"That's enough," Zhang Ruonan said. "You just need to mind your own business. As for you..."

She looked Liu Haocun up and down, her brows furrowing. "You're too skinny! Your collarbones are so thin you could raise fish in them. The company's daily training is so tiring, and you still put in extra training every day. Can you handle it?"

Liu Haocun looked down at himself and smiled a little embarrassedly: "It's...it's alright—"

"What do you mean 'okay'?" Zhang Ruonan stood up. "Wait here, I'll go make you something to eat."

Liu Haocun's eyes lit up: "Sister Ruonan, you can cook?"

"I know a little." Zhang Ruonan walked towards the kitchen. "Wait here, it'll be ready soon."

Liu Haocun quickly followed, saying, "Sister Ruonan, let me help you!"

The kitchen wasn't big, but it was very clean.

Zhang Ruonan opened the refrigerator and rummaged through it, finding two eggs, a handful of greens, and half a pack of hand-pulled noodles.

"I'll cook you a bowl of noodles." She glanced back at Liu Haocun. "Do you want noodles?"

"Eat!" Liu Haocun nodded, standing to the side watching longingly. It was so small, it was heartbreaking to see.

While boiling water, Zhang Ruonan casually asked, "How have your classes been these past few days? Are you tired?"

Liu Haocun shook his head: "It's alright, but the physical education class is a bit difficult. The teacher said that my physical movements sound like dancing —"

Zhang Ruonan couldn't help but laugh: "You're a dancer, so take your time."

"Mmm!" Liu Haocun nodded vigorously, then watched her chopping vegetables and whispered, "Sister Ruonan, you're so skilled at cooking."

Zhang Ruonan continued working, casually saying, "I have many younger siblings at home, so I've been used to doing this since I was little."

Liu Haocun looked at her and suddenly asked, "Sister Ruonan, how old are your younger siblings?"

Zhang Ruonan paused for a moment, then continued chopping vegetables: "The older one is in high school, and the younger one is still in elementary school."

Liu Haocun said "Oh" and didn't ask any more questions.

The water boiled, and Zhang Ruonan put the noodles in and cracked an egg into it. Liu Haocun helped by holding the bowl, moving very carefully, as if afraid of dropping it.

"Haocun," Zhang Ruonan suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

"Don't push yourself too hard in the future." Zhang Ruonan looked at the noodles bubbling in the pot. "You're already thin, if you keep pushing yourself like this, your health will collapse."

Liu Haocun paused for a moment, then whispered, "I'm not tired—"

"You still say you're not tired?" Zhang Ruonan turned to look at her. "I heard everything from Sister Rong. Do you think I don't know?"

Liu Haocun lowered his head and remained silent.

Zhang Ruonan sighed, turned down the stove, and turned to look at her: "Haocun, I know you're under pressure, but look how thin you've become! A gust of wind could blow you away."

She reached out and pinched Liu Haocun's arm, barely feeling any flesh: "How can someone like you handle the company training plus your own classes?"

Liu Haocun looked up, his eyes a little red, but he still managed a smile: "It's okay, Sister Ruonan, I can handle it."

"There's no need for that," Zhang Ruonan turned around and scooped the noodles into a bowl. "Eat more in the future, and eat on time, you hear me?"

Liu Haocun nodded vigorously: "Yes!"

Zhang Ruonan handed her the bowl: "Eat something first, then we can think about all that later."

Liu Haocun took the bowl and looked down at the steaming bowl of noodles, on which sat a round poached egg and vibrant green vegetables.

She looked up at Zhang Ruonan and suddenly smiled: "Sister Ruonan, you're so kind."

Zhang Ruonan was a little embarrassed by her sudden words, and reached out to rub her head: "Alright, alright, eat up, the noodles are all soggy."

Liu Haocun grunted in agreement and lowered his head to start eating his noodles.

Zhang Ruonan leaned against the stove, watching the little girl eat her noodles bite by bite, and was suddenly touched.

So small and thin, yet she has to shoulder so much responsibility.

She remembered her mother's voice on the phone, the way she took it for granted to send money home, and the only two thousand yuan she had left.

But seeing how much Liu Haocun was enjoying his meal, she realized it wasn't so difficult after all.

At least in this city, she is not alone.

"Sister Ruonan," Liu Haocun looked up, a bit of noodle soup still clinging to his lips, "why aren't you eating?"

Zhang Ruonan smiled: "You eat first, I'll wait a bit."

Liu Haocun blinked and pushed the bowl towards her: "Shall we eat together?"

Zhang Ruonan looked at the bowl of noodles, then at Liu Haocun's earnest little face, and suddenly laughed out loud: "Okay, let's eat together."

She took out another bowl from the cupboard, divided the noodles in half, and the two of them stood in the kitchen, eating the noodles one chopstick at a time.

Outside the window, the capital city was brightly lit, while the warm yellow light from the kitchen illuminated the figures of the two girls.

After finishing the last bite, Liu Haocun sighed contentedly, "Ruonan, if we both become famous in the future, let's buy a big house together, okay?"

Zhang Ruonan paused for a moment, then laughed: "Okay, let's buy a big house, one room for each of us."

Liu Haocun's eyes lit up: "We also need a big kitchen, so we can cook delicious food every day!"

"Then you need to gain some weight first."

"Yes, I can!"

The two of them burst into laughter.